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Buying your first home in Greensboro can feel like a maze of programs, classes, and lender lists. Housing Connect GSO is the City of Greensboro’s down payment assistance program for eligible homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence within city limits.

Jill Burgess, NMLS #100425, is VP Mortgage Production Manager NC at Ameris Bank and the face of Mortgages By Jill. She was named a 2025 NCHFA Top Loan Officer (“Burgess, Jill Ameris Bank”) and helps Triad buyers understand city and state assistance — and how they can sometimes work together. Program stacking depends on current city and NCHFA rules; not every buyer will qualify for both.

This page explains Housing Connect at a high level, the education and approved-lender steps, named redevelopment neighborhoods, and how to start with Jill.

What Housing Connect GSO is

Housing Connect GSO is a City of Greensboro homebuyer down payment assistance program administered through Housing & Neighborhood Development. It is aimed at eligible first-time buyers (including a common 3-year “haven’t owned recently” rule used by the city) who purchase a primary residence inside Greensboro city limits.

The city publishes tiers that can include:

• Low-to-moderate income buyers
• - Public Service Heroes
• - #100Homes

Tier names and eligibility details change. Confirm current tiers, amounts, and income limits with the City and with Jill before you rely on any number.

Soft amounts (compliance): Current assistance amounts and AMI / income limits are set by the

• You meet the city’s first-time / 3-year homeownership rule as defined by the program
• - The home will be your primary residence
• - The property is within Greensboro city limits
• - You complete required HUD-approved homebuyer education (Housing Consultants Group is named in program materials)
• - You work with a Greensboro-approved lender
• - You meet income, credit, and other city requirements for the tier you apply under
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• This is not a determination of eligibility. Final approval is by the City and your lender underwriting.
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• Education + approved lender steps
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• 1. Homebuyer education — Complete HUD-approved education through the provider named in city materials (Housing Consultants Group appears in program materials). Contacts often cited: 336-850-4043 / hcgconnect@housingconsultantsgroup.org; education line often cited 336-553-0946 ext 101. Confirm current class schedule and contact info directly with HCG.
• 2. Approved lender — Use a lender on Greensboro’s Housing Connect approved list. Ask Jill to confirm Ameris Bank / Jill Burgess is on the current list before you shop.
• 3. Pre-approval — Get pre-approved so you know budget and which assistance paths may fit.
• 4. Shop and write — Work with your realtor on homes inside city limits (and any redevelopment neighborhoods if that bonus applies).
• 5. City + lender closing path — Your lender and the city coordinate documentation; assistance is typically applied a
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• How Jill helps (city + state)
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• Jill Burgess / Mortgages By Jill can help you:
• - Confirm whether you should pursue Housing Connect, NC Home Advantage / NC 1st Home Advantage, or both
• - Coordinate the approved-lender and education path
• - Walk through property type, occupancy, and credit expectations at a high level

How much down payment help does Housing Connect give?

Current amounts and income limits are set by the City — confirm with Jill and the city before relying on a number. Do not use third-party blog dollar figures as official.

Can I use Housing Connect and NC 1st Home Advantage together?

Sometimes buyers can combine city and state assistance when both programs’ rules are met. Stacking depends on current guidelines; Jill will check your file against both.

Does the home have to be in Greensboro?

Yes — primary residence within Greensboro city limits for Housing Connect.

What if I already owned a home a few years ago?

Call to action

Ready to see if Housing Connect (and possibly NC programs) fit your purchase?

Call: (336) 740-9068

Email: jill.burgess@amerisbank.com

Contact form: /contact

Ameris LO profile: https://bankers.amerisbank.com/nc/winston-salem/jill-burgess-100425

Site: https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com

Hours: By appointment.

Equal Housing / lending disclaimer

Equal Housing Opportunity. Jill Burgess, NMLS #100425 | Ameris Bank. This page is for general information only. It is not a commitment to lend, not a credit decision, and not a guarantee of program approval or funds. All loans subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Programs, amounts, and eligibility can change without notice. Confirm current Housing Connect terms with the City of Greensboro and current NCHFA terms with NCHFA / your loan officer.

Sources

1. City of Greensboro — Housing Connect GSO Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program: https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/housing-neighborhood-development/housing-services/homeowners-renters/housing-connect-gso/homebuyer-down-payment-assistance-program
2. 2. NCHFA — NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment: https://www.nchfa.com/home-buyers/home-buyer-mortgage-products/nc-1st-home-advantage-down-payment
3. 3. NCHFA — Lender Awards (2025 Top Loan Officers, “Burgess, Jill Ameris Bank”): https://www.nchfa.com/home-ownership-partners/lenders/lender-awards
4. 4. Housing Consultants Group contacts as appearing in program materials: 336-850-4043 / hcgconnect@housingconsultantsgroup.org; education line often cited 336-553-0946 ext 101. Verify before relying.
5. 5. Ameris LO profile: https://bankers.amerisbank.com/nc/winston-salem/jill-burgess-100425
6. 6. Mortgages By Jill: https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com

The city commonly uses a first-time / 3-year rule. Confirm the exact definition with the city / education provider for your situation.

Who is Jill Burgess?

Jill Burgess, NMLS #100425, is VP Mortgage Production Manager NC at Ameris Bank (Mortgages By Jill). Main office: 3500 Vest Mill Road, Suite 1, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. Greensboro satellite: 2711 Pinedale Road, Greensboro, NC 27408. Hours: By appointment.

• - Stack city assistance with NCHFA options when rules allow. Stacking is not guaranteed; each program has its own income, price, and property rules.
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• Proof asset: 2025 NCHFA Top Loan Officer — “Burgess, Jill Ameris Bank”
• Source: https://www.nchfa.com/home-ownership-partners/lenders/lender-awards
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• For NC 1st Home Advantage details (including the official $15,000 DPA figure from NCHFA), see our NC Home Advantage page at /nc-home-advantage-mortgage and the official NCHFA page linked in Sources.
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• FAQ
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• Do I have to take a class?
• Yes for Housing Connect — the city requires HUD-approved homebuyer education. Housing Consultants Group is the provider named in program materials. Confirm current class options with them.
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• Do I have to use an approved lender?
• Yes. Housing Connect requires a Greensboro-approved lender. Ask Jill to confirm she / Ameris Bank is on the current list.t closing per city rules. Timing and funds availability can vary.
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• Redevelopment / reinvestment neighborhoods (named on city site)
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• City materials have named these redevelopment / reinvestment neighborhoods in connection with Housing Connect:
• - Dudley Heights
• - Eastside Park
• - Glenwood
• - Kings Forest
• - Mill District
• - Ole Asheboro
• - Random Woods
• - Willow Oaks
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• Neighborhood lists and any bonus assistance can change. Verify current list and benefits on the city program page or with Housing staff.City of Greensboro. Do not rely on blog figures. Confirm the current amounts and income limits with Jill and the city before depending on a number.

Official city program page: https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/housing-neighborhood-development/housing-services/homeowners-renters/housing-connect-gso/homebuyer-down-payment-assistance-program

Who may qualify (high level)

You may be in the right ballpark if: